Theater Drops Low Rent Rates

Some Performing Groups May Leave Helen Stairs

SANFORD -- A decision by the Helen Stairs Theatre to no longer cut deals with local performing arts groups means some may be searching for a new venue.

The theater sent out a letter earlier this month stating that, because of higher operating costs, it needed to "raise the cost for the use of the theater to all theater lessees."

For nonprofit groups such as the Wekiva River Players and Fab Follies, the theater's rental rates for 2004-05 will be substantially higher than in the past. And that may mean they will no longer be able to perform there.

"I don't think we can afford to work there anymore," said Elizabeth A. Taylor, Fab Follies' founder and president. "I'm flabbergasted." The senior-citizens troupe has been putting on musical revues at the nonprofit theater since the facility reopened in 2000.

Members of the Wekiva River Players, which also has performed there since 2000, were equally stunned. This month, the group's production of the musical Evita is being presented at the downtown Sanford theater.

"We were just horrified by the increase," said Barbara Saldarriaga, the community theater group's president.

But Carey Ferrell, the theater's treasurer, says the letter is misleading.

The facility's basic rental rates have remained relatively steady since it opened, he said, and most groups will pay about the same prices this coming season as they have in the past.

However, a few organizations have had special, negotiated leases, Ferrell said, and they will see fees increase. As the theater goes into its fifth season, those groups will be brought in line with what other organizations already are paying.

"We felt we had reached the point where we had to treat everybody the same," he said.

"We are probably losing money with WRP [Wekiva River Players] right now," said Ferrell, who is also the theater's finance and budget committee chairman.

Board members of the Wekiva River Players admit their group has had a sweet deal. However, they didn't expect things to change so drastically.

Under the group's 2003-04 production agreement with the theater, it paid $200 per performance and $25 per rehearsal in base rental fees.

For this coming season, the community theater group would pay $697 per performance on the weekend and $315 per rehearsal. That includes a 10 percent discount nonprofit organizations receive.

The Fab Follies is in a similar situation. Under previous rental agreements, the group paid $698 to use the theater for a weekend. Typically, the troupe gave three performances during a weekend.

Now, the senior citizen troupe would pay $697 for each performance.

In its letter to lessees, the theater's executive board stated, "We can no longer negotiate individual lease agreements."

Even so, the Wekiva River Players intends to make a counter-offer. If the theater refuses to negotiate, Saldarriaga said, the group will be forced to look for a venue elsewhere.

Currently, the group performs only at Helen Stairs. The Fab Follies performs at the theater and other venues in Central Florida.

"They can say it's non-negotiable, but I'm hoping that they will come to their senses and realize they're just going to chase everyone away," Saldarriaga said.

"It's very disappointing to see that the theater's kind of bread-and-butter groups are being pushed out the door," she said, adding that those groups have helped the theater build its audiences and name recognition.

Another nonprofit group that could be affected is Orlando City Ballet.

The group performs The Nutcracker and a spring show at the Helen Stairs Theatre annually. It also performs at other venues.

Previously, the ballet group had a 50-50 revenue-sharing agreement with the Sanford theater. The company did not pay rent but it did pay for technical services, such as sound and lights, said Kathleen Peters, the group's marketing director.

The changes mean the revenue-sharing deal would be replaced by a standard lease agreement. Although the company would pay rent, it also would receive more from ticket sales. So, the bottom line might not change much.

"At first glance, it's not going to be that different. We're not that worried about it," said Peters, a former board member of the ballet group. "We're definitely not overreacting or ready to jump ship or anything."

Still, she said, "If our net cost is higher, then we probably wouldn't be able to perform there."

Helen Stairs, the theater's president, said she hopes the facility doesn't lose any of the groups.

"We would hate that," she said. But, "If we can't pay our bills, we wouldn't have a place to perform."

The theater has seen less revenue from ticket sales and sponsorships amid higher costs, including increased insurance rates and electric bills, Stairs and Ferrell said.

"This is all dollars and cents," Stairs said. "We've given them a helluva deal for all these four years. You can't expect to say status quo forever."